Day: May 6, 2013

American consumers will spend up to $20.7 billion on mom this Mother’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation.

The average shopper will spend an average of $168.94 on flowers, gift cards, dinner and apparel for mom, which is up 11 percent from last year, according to the NRF report.

The report shows that some consumers are going beyond the usual gifts for mom this year, as 14.1 percent of shoppers said they will buy electronic gifts for mom this year and one-third of the shoppers surveyed said they will buy jewelry.

“It’s clear that Americans this year want to honor the woman with the hardest job in the world with unique and special gifts this Mother’s Day,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. “After a long winter that kept many from splurging on any new spring merchandise, retailers are looking forward to opening their doors and surprising shoppers with promotions that are perfect for any gardener, host, fashionista or tech-savvy mom.”

Last year, the Better Business Bureau saw more than 3,900 complaints filed nationally against florists related to Mother’s Day purchases, according to a press release.

Buying flowers for mom this year? Here are some tips to consider before you do:

Ask about guarantees. Request a written receipt for the order and know the company’s refund policy in case the delivery is late, never arrives or is in poor condition.

Make sure you are reachable. Sometimes additional directions are needed. Check the company’s policy about whether or not deliveries can be made even if the recipient is not home. Try to ship packages around the time she’ll be home to avoid damaged or stolen goods.

Research. Check out online reviews of florists and other companies in your area and ask friends and family for recommendations before ordering.

Allow time for shipping and delivery. Check with the company or website before ordering to make sure there’s enough time to actually deliver the order on time. Waiting to the last minute could be more expensive and run the risk of not getting there on time.

Have a backup plan. Make sure you understand the store’s guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have if the arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t come through.

Photo by Dan Wagner, Herald-Tribune staff. Tips courtesy of the Better Business Bureau.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.